However, half of them pulled out after learning that Malaysia's some 1.5 million Catholics have to share just 900 seats allocated to them by the Singapore archdiocese to attend the papal Mass.

Each of the nine dioceses in Malaysia was given 100 seats, regardless of the number of parishes and Catholics.

Organisers say seats are limited for the Sept 12 papal Mass at the Singapore National Stadium, which can accommodate 40,000 people.

Soosai said most Catholics who signed up with him came from one parish — Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Klang, about 40 kilometres west of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

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The public advisory issued on April 15 urged the public to "trust only official websites for information on the papal visit and Mass," Channel News Asia (CNA) reported on April 16.

"We have received reports of individuals/groups attempting to phish/acquire personal information by misrepresenting themselves as being associated with the ticketing process for the Papal Mass," the press statement said.

Phishing is defined as the practice of tricking internet users into revealing their personal or confidential information through deceptive email messages or websites, which can then be used illicitly.

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